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Last updated : 11/03/2007

This page is indexed on our home page under Aspect: 8. Links - Species Specific and the Section: Snakes: Colubrids

Introduction

This page contains a selection of the best links found on the reptile species: African Egg Eaters (sp Dasypeltis). The navigation table on the top left will take you directly to the defined topics, such as  Natural Habitat, Captive care, Breeders, Pictures, More information, Other information and Taxonomy.

Please feel free to advise any incorrect allocations or descriptions and to request any additional links to your favorite website on this subject.

A brief snippet about African Egg Eaters (Dasypeltis)

A brief introduction to the species will be inserted here ..... coming soon! In the interim we have a number of links on the species, listed on this page.

I suppose this could be described as one of South Africa’s most harmless species due to the lack of teeth. However when first encountered it gives a totally different impression. They coil up with their head in the centre. As they rub their coils together the keeled scales make a hissing sound that can be impressively load. They then strike out viciously revealing the black lined mouth, but rarely hitting their target.

Common Eggeater
Gewone eiervreter
Dasypeltis scabra
Size: Adults reach an average length of 50 cm (max. 1m)

The Egg-eating Snake is truly a remarkable creature, and serves to bring forcibly home to us the wonderful and awe-inspiring workings of Nature. In the study of Nature we see the operation of a mighty All Wise Intelligence. It reveals to us the fact that there are great and mighty forces at work which we call Laws, and through the operation of these great forces or Laws, the Creator works. The student of Nature sees the results of the operation of this mighty Power or Intelligence in everything.

The African Egg Eating Snake, though not widespread in captivity, is a truly fascinating reptile. It is unique in its eating habits, and can make a rare and impressive pet. Normally nocturnal, African Egg Eating Snakes usually spend days hiding in a sheltered area. Often a rock or log can provide a sheltered hiding spot.

Egg-eaters are fascinating snakes whose name is derived from its diet. They are a small group of only a few snake species in the world who's diet is only eggs. The normal colours of Common Egg-eaters (Dasypeltis scabra) are grayish to brown with darker rhombic (square) markings or blotches or chevrons (v-shapes) down the back. A brown variation, apparently called the Brown Egg-eater, is commonly found in the southern parts of South Africa's Orange Free State. According to the literature these snakes are a bit smaller than Common Egg-eaters.

Egg Eating Snake The Egg Eating Snake must be one of the nicest snakes we have ever come across. With no teeth, a calm nature and eating purely on eggs, means no more defrosting them rodents!

African Egg-Eaters are fascinating little snakes. They are able to consume eggs several times the size of their heads - the eggs are swallowed whole! They have bony projections in their spines which slice open the eggs. The contents of the eggs are eaten and the compressed shells are regurgitated in one piece. Lots of Reptile information. Pictures of Dasypeltis (egg eating) snakes. Dasypeltis care sheets, articles, pictures and journals. Other reptile articles and care sheets.

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Last updated : 13-01-2008